Tolland students from every grade level, their families and teachers were present at a reception welcoming new superintendent Dr. Walter Willett at Tolland High School on Jan. 29.

Many of the students were familiar to Willett, as he has been in the district for 8 years, most recently as the principal of Tolland Middle School.

Willett said being superintendent in Tolland is his dream job.

"It's a beautiful town," he said. "The community's very welcoming and supportive. It's kind of like landing in superintendent heaven."

Willett was serenaded by a chorus of students from Birch Grove Elementary School, who performed "This Land is Your Land," and the Tolland High School jazz band provided background music while Willett mingled with students, parents and staffers. He said the event was unexpected and touching.

"The most meaningful part of any job is the children," Willett said. "Getting to interact with them at something like this is just amazing."

He added that the administrative position does take him away from the classroom environment and the school buildings, and that during his five weeks on the job he had been missing the "commotion, hubbub and beautiful craziness."

"I'm getting to get into the schools and get my fill of it," he said. "I'll keep trying to do that, to make sure I always keep that piece of it in my heart."

Willett said he has had a "crash course" in the budget process, having just about six weeks before the school budget has to be ratified by the Board of Ed.

"It was an educational experience and I've learned a lot from it, but it's been a very exciting experience, too," he said. "When you want to have a job like this, it's because stuff like this does excite you, otherwise why would you want to do it."

Willett added that he has enjoyed the collaborative process with the community. "Getting to really work with the community on these things is really the beauty of it," he said. "It's where the energy for the job, and the motivation for the job comes from, because you get to help the community find what it wants, and that's the goal. It's a very exciting position to have, and I'm very happy to be in that role."